Nexgard vs Trifexis
Life with your furry companion is filled with ups and downs, but with the right care and medication you can keep your pet happy and care-free with this comparison of two major products, Trifexis Chewable Tablets and Nexgard Chewable Tablets. With this detailed guide and comprehensive table, you'll be able to make an informed choice on which product best suits your pets needs. .
What are the differences between Trifexis and Nexgard
The main variation between these two chewable tablets is that Nexgard also eliminates external parasites such as ticks and fleas while Trifexis primarily deals with internal parasitic creatures such as heartworm, hookworm, roundworm and whipworm. Both medications can be given to your pets at 8 weeks, unlike Nexgard, Trifexis can only be given to dogs that weigh more than 5lbs.
Both Nexgard and Trifexis are specifically designed to kill fleas. Nexgard uses Afoxoflaner and kills 100% of fleas and ticks within 24 hours. Trifexis uses Spinosad and Milbemycin Oxime and begins to kill fleas in as little as 30 minutes and eliminates all fleas within 4 hours. Nexgard is the only FDA approved option for preventing infections that cause Lyme disease.
Neither Trifexis or Nexgard have not yet been evaluated for use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Both products do not have a line for their feline counterparts.
Trifexis and Nexgard require a prescription from your veterinarian before they can be purchased. Your vet should be able to answer any questions related to side effects, precautions, or special care for your dog.
Final Thoughts on Trifexis vs Nexgard
Overall, these two products focus primarily on different aspects of your pets' health, with Trifexis focusing more on the internal parasites - heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and one external - fleas. While Nexgard covers external parasites - ticks and fleas. The cost for Nexgard and Trifexis are similar when factoring in supply sizes. Some pet owners may start with Nexgard and then switch to Trifexis if ticks are not an issue in their region.
If you still have questions on which oral flea and tick treatment is best suited for your pets needs, our veterinarians are standing by to assist you.
| Feature | Trifexis | NexGard |
|---|---|---|
| Kills Fleas | Yes | Yes |
| Repels Fleas | No | No |
| Kills Flea Eggs and Larvae | Yes | Yes |
| Kills Ticks | No | Yes |
| Repels Ticks | No | No |
| Repels Mosquitoes | No | No |
| Prevents Heartworm | Yes | No |
| Protects Against Other Parasites | Roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm | No |
| Waterproof | Yes - taken orally | Yes - taken orally |
| How Long to Work | Kills 100% of biting fleas in 4 hours. | 4 hours to kill fleas and 24 hours hours to kill ticks |
| Taste | Beef Flavored | Beef Flavored |
| Active Ingredient | Spinosad and Milbemycin Oxime | Afoxolaner |
| RX Required | Yes | Yes |
| Application Type | Chewable Tablet | Chewable Tablet |
| Dosing | 1 tablet per month | 1 tablet per month |
| Age | Puppies 8 weeks and older and weigh more than 5 lbs. | Puppies 8 weeks and older and weigh more than 4 lbs |
| Manufacturer | Elanco Animal Health | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Safety | Not yet evaluated for use of in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. | Not yet evaluated for use of in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. |